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How do the body shapes of sharks and rays differ?
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chondrichthyan
Southern stingrays (Dasyatis americana or Hypanus americanus) are found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Sharks and rays, both members of the class Chondrichthyes, exhibit distinct body shapes adapted to their respective lifestyles.1
- Sharks: These fish typically possess a fusiform or spindle-shaped body, often described as a blunt torpedo shape. This streamlined form is designed for efficient movement through the water. They generally have triangular fins and large tails used for propulsion.23
- Rays: In contrast, rays have flattened, disklike bodies. Their pectoral fins are greatly enlarged and winglike, extending along the sides of the head. While sharks pull water in through their mouths for respiration, rays often use large openings on the upper surface of their heads, called spiracles, to take in water. Additionally, the gill openings of rays are located on the underside of the body, whereas they are positioned differently in sharks.214
While sharks are generally built for active swimming, many rays are adapted as bottom dwellers, often "flying" through the water by undulating their winglike pectoral fins.51